Easy Thai Crispy Fried Chicken Recipe: Irresistibly Crunchy Joy

Thai crispy fried chicken represents a tantalizing fusion of bold flavors and remarkable culinary technique that elevates ordinary poultry into an extraordinary meal.

Marinating techniques elevate this classic dish beyond standard preparation methods, infusing deep complexity into every succulent bite.

Authentic spices and careful seasoning create a remarkable balance between crisp exterior and tender meat interior.

Traditional recipes draw inspiration from street food culture, where vibrant flavors reign supreme in bustling marketplaces.

Savory seasonings penetrate deep into the chicken, promising an explosion of taste with each crispy morsel.

Regional variations showcase the incredible diversity of preparation styles across different culinary landscapes.

The magic happens through precise temperature control and strategic ingredient selection that guarantees maximum crunchiness.

Pro Tips for Extra Crunchy Thai Chicken

• Master the Shallot Technique: Salt and pat dry shallots to remove excess moisture, ensuring they become perfectly crispy when fried.
• Create a Flavor-Packed Spice Blend: Use a mortar to grind whole spices freshly, releasing maximum aromatic oils and intense flavor profile.
• Achieve Perfect Marinade Consistency: Mix tempura flour with ice-cold water gradually to create a smooth, thick batter that clings perfectly to chicken.
• Optimize Marinating Time: Allow chicken to marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight to deeply infuse flavors and tenderize the meat.
• Control Frying Temperature: Maintain oil between 350°F and 375°F for golden-brown, crispy exterior and fully cooked chicken without burning.

How to Handle Leftovers Like a Pro

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Thai crispy fried chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Wrap each piece separately in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to maintain crispiness and prevent moisture buildup.
• Freeze: For longer storage, place chicken in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Consume within 3 months for best quality and flavor. Label the container with the date of storage.
• Reheat: Restore crunchiness by warming chicken in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes. Avoid using a microwave, which can make the coating soggy. Place chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet to help retain its crispy texture.

Serve Thai Chicken With These Picks

• Pair with Zesty Thai Slaw: Create a tangy, crunchy slaw using shredded cabbage, carrots, mint, and a lime-fish sauce dressing to cut through the chicken's richness.
• Sip Refreshing Lemongrass Cocktail: Mix vodka, fresh lemongrass, ginger syrup, and soda water for a bright, herbaceous drink that complements the spicy, crispy chicken.
• Serve with Sticky Rice and Nam Jim Jaew: Prepare classic Thai sticky rice and a spicy dipping sauce made with dried chilies, fish sauce, and lime juice to enhance the chicken's complex flavors.
• Cool Down with Cucumber Salad: Prepare a light cucumber salad with fresh herbs, vinegar, and a touch of sugar to balance the deep-fried chicken's intensity and provide a refreshing contrast.

Crispy Fried Chicken Thai-Style Variations

• Herb-Infused Chicken Crunch: Blend fresh lemongrass, Thai basil, and kaffir lime leaves into the marinade for an aromatic herbal profile that elevates the classic recipe's flavor complexity.
• Spicy Southern Style: Add dried bird's eye chili or cayenne pepper to the spice mixture, creating a fiery kick that transforms the traditional Thai chicken into a heat-lover's dream.
• Coconut Crusted Version: Replace part of the tempura flour with shredded unsweetened coconut, giving the chicken an extra crispy exterior and subtle tropical undertone that complements the existing spice blend.
• Low-Carb Protein Option: Substitute tempura flour with almond flour or crushed pork rinds, maintaining the crispy texture while reducing carbohydrate content for health-conscious food enthusiasts.

Thai Crispy Fried Chicken Flavor Highlights

• Burst with Exotic Flavors: This Thai crispy fried chicken packs a punch with its complex spice blend of roasted cumin, coriander seeds, and black peppercorns, creating a mouthwatering taste that transports your palate straight to the vibrant streets of Thailand.
• Master an Authentic Technique: The recipe showcases traditional Thai cooking methods, from pounding spices in a mortar to carefully marinating chicken and achieving the perfect golden-brown crispy exterior through precise deep-frying techniques.
• Quick-and-Easy Impressive Meal: Despite its authentic roots, this dish is surprisingly simple to prepare, requiring just a few key ingredients and some basic cooking skills, making it an excellent choice for home cooks looking to explore international cuisine without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Versatile Party Pleaser: Perfect for gatherings, game nights, or casual dinners, this crispy chicken delivers restaurant-quality results that will wow guests and satisfy even the pickiest eaters with its irresistible crunch and bold flavor profile.

Ingredients That Go Into Thai Crispy Fried Chicken

• Chicken Legs: Super flavorful cut that absorbs marinades beautifully, best when fresh and preferably bone-in.
• Palm Sugar: Natural sweetener with caramel-like depth, provides balanced flavor and helps chicken brown nicely.
• Fish Sauce: Traditional Thai seasoning that adds umami and saltiness, core ingredient for authentic taste.

• Roasted Cumin Seeds: Warm, earthy spice that provides deep aromatic foundation.
• Coriander Seeds: Adds bright, citrusy notes with subtle nutty undertones.
• Black Peppercorns: Sharp, spicy component that brings heat and complexity.
• Garlic: Robust flavor enhancer that complements other spices perfectly.
• Coriander Roots: Intense herb base with concentrated herbal essence, traditional in Thai cooking.

• Tempura Flour: Light, crispy coating that creates golden exterior with delicate texture.
• Ice-Cold Water: Essential for creating airy, crisp batter that adheres well to chicken.
• Shallots: Provides crunchy garnish with sweet, mild onion flavor.
• Salt: Enhances overall seasoning and helps draw moisture from ingredients.

Method for Making Crispy Thai Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Crispy Shallots

• Thinly slice shallots
• Sprinkle salt over shallots
• Let sit on paper towel for 10 minutes
• Pat dry completely

Heat oil in pan and fry shallots until golden and crispy

Remove and set aside on paper towel

Step 2: Create Spice Blend

• Roasted cumin seeds
• Coriander seeds
• Black peppercorns
• Garlic
• Coriander roots

Grind until mixture becomes fine and fragrant

Step 3: Mix Marinade

• Palm sugar
• Fish sauce
• Salt

Mix thoroughly using gloves or a spoon

Step 4: Prepare Batter

Stir in tempura flour

Gradually add ice-cold water

Mix until batter reaches thick, smooth consistency

Step 5: Marinate Chicken

Slice chicken legs around bone

Coat chicken completely in marinade

Refrigerate for 4-8 hours

Step 6: Fry Chicken

Heat oil to 350°F-375°F

Deep fry chicken in same oil used for shallots

Fry until golden brown and fully cooked

Drain excess oil

Let chicken rest before serving

Garnish with crispy shallots

Thai Crispy Fried Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy Thai fried chicken delivers a perfect harmony of crunchy exterior and juicy meat. Marinated in traditional Thai spices and double-fried for ultimate texture, you’ll savor an authentic street-style delicacy that transports senses straight to Bangkok’s bustling markets.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 50 ounces (1.4 kg) chicken, preferably legs
• 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) tempura flour
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) ice-cold water

Aromatic Spices and Herbs:

• 2 shallots, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, roasted
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, roasted
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, roasted
• 2 coriander roots
• 4 cloves garlic

Seasoning Ingredients:

• ½ tablespoon (7.5 milliliters) palm sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Oil for deep-frying

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Instructions

1. Prepare shallots by slicing thinly and laying them on a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt and allow moisture to extract for 10 minutes, then gently pat dry with another paper towel.
2. Warm vegetable oil in a skillet and fry shallots until they transform into a golden, crisp texture. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
3. Use a mortar and pestle to meticulously grind roasted cumin seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, fresh garlic cloves, and fragrant coriander roots into a fine, uniform mixture.
4. Transfer the freshly ground spice blend into a spacious mixing bowl. Incorporate palm sugar, fish sauce, and salt, blending thoroughly with a gloved hand to ensure even distribution.
5. Gradually introduce tempura flour into the spice mixture, slowly adding ice-cold water (0°C to 4°C or 32°F to 40°F) while stirring to create a smooth, thick batter with consistent texture.
6. Carefully make strategic incisions around the chicken leg bones, ensuring complete coverage with the aromatic marinade. Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
7. Utilize the same oil used for frying shallots, heating to 175°C to 190°C (350°F to 375°F). Gently lower marinated chicken into the hot oil, frying until achieving a beautiful golden-brown exterior and ensuring internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).
8. Remove chicken from oil, allowing excess oil to drain on a wire rack or paper towel. Let the fried chicken rest briefly before serving to maintain optimal crispiness and temperature.

Notes

• Prep shallots ahead by salting and drying to enhance crispiness and remove excess moisture, creating a delightful crunchy topping.
• Grinding fresh spices in a mortar releases intense, aromatic flavors that elevate the chicken’s taste profile dramatically.
• Marinating chicken overnight allows the complex blend of fish sauce, palm sugar, and spices to deeply penetrate and tenderize the meat.
• Use a precise oil temperature between 350-375°F to ensure perfectly crispy exterior while maintaining juicy, fully cooked chicken interior.
• Tempura flour creates an extra light and crisp coating that makes this Thai-style fried chicken uniquely different from other fried chicken recipes.
• Complementing the chicken with the crispy fried shallots adds a delightful textural contrast and traditional Southeast Asian flavor dimension.

• Prep Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg